Should pressure washing companies be licensed???

[Henry Bockman]

I'd like to run a poll and get as many people as possible to vote.

Think about it for a minute, we work with pretty extreme pressure, temperatures, and some pretty nasty chemicals to do our jobs.

Take into consideration that some deck strippers are rated at 13 on the Ph scale.

Some of the acids we use are rated at 1 or 2 on the Ph scale.

Think about the amount of damage that 4,000 PSI can cause in inexperienced hands to wood, siding and concrete.

Should'nt there be some type of protection for consumers against these extremes?

I honestly believe that pressure washing should have it's own government codes (Cage ect) We have those now!

We should have our own insurance codes. We have those now I heard!

Wouldn't the next logical step to make pressure washing a recognized industry be some type of licensing requirements? This will also help to seperate us from companies that are working for extra cash on weekends, and to help raise the bar and protect consumers.


I vote yes, pressure washing companies should be licensed.

[Beth n Rod]

Yes.

Beth

[k2waterwerx]

Totally agree! Maybe it would slow down the "Un-professionals".

[Clean Image]

I vote yes

[Henry Bockman]

Hey Beth, give me a call late tomorrow afternoon if you can. I have an update.

[keepinitclean]

we have ours!

[Beth n Rod]

I personally think all states should require home improvement licenses, for any home improvement job regardless of the size.

Beth

[RPetry]

I personally think all states should require home improvement licenses, for any home improvement job regardless of the size.

Beth

Beth,

NJ requires a contractors license. From what I can tell, maybe 30 - 40% of small home improvement contractors actually follow the law and obtain a license.

The only requirement is proof of liability insurance. Which is an easy get around. In effect, it is a tax with little if any enforcement.

[Henry Bockman]

What happens if an illegal contractor is turned in for trashing someones property?

In Maryland, you have to take a test, I think they have also added in classes also.

[Beth n Rod]

I've been following the debate on PWI, and just want to say I get the point Henry is making. The licensing he's referring to is a Home Improvement License. To see if a home improvement license is required in your state try this link: State Contractor License Board List

Now here's the thing, all states are not the same. Here in Maryland, an MHIC license is required for what is considered to be an improvement, and there is a list of qualified improvements that if you perform them, you need a license. Over the years people have split hairs - like the story about water based sealers - BS! It's a coating, you need the license to install it. If you hammer a nail in on a gutter, you need a license.

This is not the same as a business license, it is not the same as incorporating etc. It's relevant to home improvement and protects the consumer.

Beth

[Henry Bockman]

Thanks for making that a bit clearer Beth. The funny thing is this topic has had over 185 views and only 22 votes. I know everyone out there should have enough of an opinion to vote on this. Just vote!

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Thanks for making that a bit clearer Beth. The funny thing is this topic has had over 185 views and only 22 votes. I know everyone out there should have enough of an opinion to vote on this. Just vote!

It would APPEAR most are unlicensed, LOL

[Henry Bockman]

I wonder how many states require licensing for pressure washing?

[RPetry]

... It's relevant to home improvement and protects the consumer.

Beth

Beth and Henry,

It only protects the consumer if ...

1) The consumer purchasing a home improvement service is aware of required insurance and/or license.

2) The particular State puts resources into enforcement.

In 8 yrs. of business here in NJ, I have been asked for a current copy of my insurance two times. Granted, our business is all residential.

In 8 yrs. of business here in NJ, I have never been asked to prove that I have an updated and valid contractors license.

In 8 yrs. of business here in NJ, I have never heard or read in the local papers of any "fly by night" contractor being prosecuted for failure to have an NJ contractor license.

Regulation sounds terrific on paper. Protect the consumer, weed out the foul balls, etc. But unless it is enforced by law, and resources devoted to consumer awareness, regulation is a paper tiger.

Worse yet, in a typical scenario it is another business tax with no return.

Be careful what you wish for.

[Henry Bockman]

Beth and Henry,

It only protects the consumer if ...

1) The consumer purchasing a home improvement service is aware of required insurance and/or license.

2) The particular State puts resources into enforcement.

In 8 yrs. of business here in NJ, I have been asked for a current copy of my insurance two times. Granted, our business is all residential.

In 8 yrs. of business here in NJ, I have never been asked to prove that I have an updated and valid contractors license.

In 8 yrs. of business here in NJ, I have never heard or read in the local papers of any "fly by night" contractor being prosecuted for failure to have an NJ contractor license.

Regulation sounds terrific on paper. Protect the consumer, weed out the foul balls, etc. But unless it is enforced by law, and resources devoted to consumer awareness, regulation is a paper tiger.

Worse yet, in a typical scenario it is another business tax with no return.

Be careful what you wish for.

Hey Rick, Here in Maryland its different from other states I guess. I'm not sure about Beth but people ask about licensing and insurance a lot here. I also have a link on my site where people can check our license status and it get's clicked on a couple hundred times a month. The MHIC activily seeks out unlicensed contractors and contacts them, they also prosecute them too. Theres usually some kind of article, news thing or some other public issue on scam contractors here at least once a month. Like I said before, Maryland seems to be different from what most states do, maybe it's because were so close to the seat of politics, I'm not sure.